"When I come down, I come down on my left ankle. The most amazing, shocking pain that I’ve ever felt in my entire life shoots up my leg, and immediately I’m like, 'career’s over.' That’s how much it hurt."

“They told me that if the team, the organization, the Lions found out I was playing volleyball and I got hurt playing volleyball, that they could exercise the option of not paying me," he said, adding that he told only one teammate — current Lions punter Sam Martin. "Did I want to lie to my head coach? No, but I was thinking about myself."

Fauria was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013 by the Lions, where he earned his way onto the roster to finish with seven touchdowns. He played in only seven games in 2014, the last of his career.

31. Colts (32): Really nice to see Andrew Luck practicing and, apparently, pain-free. Also great he's scorching defense in practice ... but he's only first who will do that this year.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports